1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Decision Support for Mainstreaming and Scaling out Sustainable Land Management (GEF-FAO / DS-SLM)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

FAO Bangladesh (FAO Bangladesh) - Bangladesh

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) - Bangladesh

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Strip tillage wheat cultivation is a climate-smart technology to save water and improve soil health

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The High Barind Tract (HBT) situated in north-western region of Bangladesh consisting Rajshahi, Chapai Nawabganj and Naogaon Districts where the underlying Madhupur clay soil has been uplifted and cut into by deep valleys. The topsoil of HBT is grey silt loam to silty clay loam, is strongly puddled and has a compact ploughpan at the base. Deep grey terrace soils and grey valley soil are the major components of the general soil types of this area.

Strip tillage wheat cultivation is being adopted in farmers field on which wheat has been cultivated for decades. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) developed this technology/innovation, and Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) disseminated the technology also among farmers of Rajshahi region. In brief, strip tillage wheat is a water saving technology, and requires wheat to be planted in rows. Traditionally, farmers cultivated wheat using the broadcast method, after deep tilling the land 3-4 times and after flood irrigation. In this new method, farmers can use a strip tiller that sows seeds and fertilizer simultaneously immediately after T. Aman rice (Transplanted rice, Aman is the Kharif 2 season from June to November) harvesting. This implies that retained soil moisture can germinate the wheat seeds. Because the wheat seeds are sown in a row, sunlight and air penetrate very well; and weed infestation remains low because of minimum tillage. Farmers report that rodent infestation in strip tillage is lower than conventional broadcast cultivation.

As stated, a strip tiller is needed for this operation, and the machine is a modified version of traditional power tiller developed by BARI. The tiller has thin ploughs in parallel rows (four to a machine), and drops the fertilizer and seed – another wheel-like device presses the seed into the soil. The other parts of land remain unplowed that keep moisture and resist weeds to grow. Retention of rice crop residue increases soil organic matter which in turn increases the soil water retention/holding capacity and loosens the soil (for free drainage).

Overall, this water saving technology has increased livelihood options for tiller machine service providers, decreased on-farm input costs (e.g., irrigation, rodenticide), and increased wheat productivity (by improve weather – storm/wind – resistance of crops and reducing rodent infestation). Moreover, it produces quality wheat, increases the grain weight, and makes wheat easy to harvest. The yield of strip cultivated wheat is reported to be 1.25 times higher than conventional wheat.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2016

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)
• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Wheat cultivated in HBT since long ago and the farmer often faced high input cost in traditional cultivation method. BARI Regional Research Station conducted a lot of research on wheat to minimise the input cost and gaining more yield through different projects with farmer. With the help of local farmer, BARI, CIMMYT and DAE demonstrated improved technology for wheat. After trial and trial BARI scientist and the enlisted local service provider developed the light power tiller driven device for strip tillage wheat cultivation.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• reduce risk of disasters
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) established deep tubewell for irrigation to farmers. Generally, farmer use deep tubewell water for irrigation. Also, farmer use surface water from canal for irrigation purpose.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• rotational systems (crop rotation, fallows, shifting cultivation)
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• minimal soil disturbance

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• USD

4.3 Establishment activities

Comments:

No establishment cost needed, because it is a short term annual crop

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Herbicide application in field	November - December
2.	Seed treatment	November - December
3.	Tillage (Strip) and seed sowing	November - December
4.	Fertilizer application	November - December
5.	Irrigation	January - March
6.	Pesticide application	January - February
7.	Harvesting	April
8.	Threshing	April

Comments:

At best 2 irrigation is needed depending on soil moisture

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Herbicide application	Person-day	1.0	4.7	4.7	100.0
Labour	Harvesting	Person-day	5.0	4.7	23.5	100.0
Labour	Threshing	Person-day	2.0	4.7	9.4	100.0
Equipment	Two wheel strip tiller	Rent-Bigha	1.0	5.88	5.88	100.0
Equipment	Irrigation and its equipment charge	Day	3.0	4.11	12.33	100.0
Plant material	Wheat seed	Kg	18.0	0.59	10.62	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Fertilizer	kg	70.0	0.26	18.2	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Herbicide	Kg	0.4	4.5	1.8	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Seed treatment chemicals	Kg	0.5	4.0	2.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticide	Kg	3.0	3.26	9.78	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					98.21
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					98.21

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Time of seed sowing: the yield will reduce after 30 November
Irrigation: it is critical in tillering and penicle initiation stage, the yield may reduced. The source of irrigation is BMDA deep tubewell and from canal.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• convex situations

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Both irrigation and drinking water extracted from deep tubewell of Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA)

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)
• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

Specify:

Most of the land owned by land lord and they give taxes to government in year basis. The land owner lease the land to small, marginal and landless farmer in year basis. The land owner take money from them, and sometimes land owner share the crop with lease-taking farmer.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well
seasonal temperature	summer	increase	well
annual rainfall		decrease	well
seasonal rainfall	summer	decrease	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
tropical storm	moderately
tornado	not known

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	very well

Biological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
insect/ worm infestation	very well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 11-50%

Comments:

Some farmer got seed and sowing cost as incentive, but this number is too small (1-2%) from DAE. Most of the farmer grow wheat without any incentive.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
- Low input cost that save plowing cost - Low water requirement
- No rodent infestation because of line sowing
- High yield

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
- Low GHG emission
- Low input cost - Have scope for women engagement, especially in harvesting and threshing purpose
- Increase soil health - Increase the organic matter through crop residue retention

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
Need machinery for this practice	Rent machinery

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
- Timely seed sowing	- Short duration crop cultivation

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

STATUS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE BASED TILLAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH; M. ISRAIL HOSSAIN, M. J. U. SARKER AND M. ARSHADUL HAQUE; 2015; ISSN 0258-7122

Available from where? Costs?

Internet, free

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

STATUS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE BASED TILLAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH

URL:

https://www.banglajol.info/index.php/BJAR/.../16658